THERESA May’s former policy adviser has slammed her for the proposed customs partnership policy saying it was “rightly voted down” and has called on the UK to argue for a Switzerland-style Brexit.

The Prime Minister finds herself in a precarious position by having to toe-the-line between Leavers and Remainers within the Party ranks who are vying for different Brexit options.

While Remainers are calling for a customs union, Brexiteers say it could scupper the UK’s chances of negotiating independent trade deals with the rest of the world and would therefore call for a vote of no confidence.

But Nick Timothy claims there is another option which is being overlooked, saying: “The Brexit Cabinet Committee rightly rejected the new custom partnership (NCP) last week.

“But even if it had not done so, Downing Street would have struggled to proceed without the support of the International Trade and Brexit secretaries and many Eurosceptic Tory MPs. It should be dropped.

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Critics say max fac, which is used by Norway, will create friction in trade with Europe and would require a customs border.

But Mr Timothy claims this can be made more efficient by sensible policy and technology.

He added: “This option is dismissed by Europhiles but it is no unicorn: as a Swiss trade negotiator told Policy Exchange recently: ‘We have a smoothly operating frictionless border with the EU, even though we are not a member of the customs union.’”

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Mr Timothy blasted the Commission

He claims Downing Street’s reluctance to choose max fac is because of concern over the Northern Irish border.

But he claims this is not a problem because it “does not demand a hard border”.

He continued: “Checks do not need to be conducted along the border: the administration can be done in advance through pre-registration and trusted trader schemes, and monitoring can be conducted in each country.

“Small businesses can be exempted, more powers devolved to Belfast, and more all-Ireland governance arrangements can be agreed to facilitate trade.”

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Theresa May could face a vote of no confidence

He then goes on to blast the Commission for saying this would be impossible and that it is merely a way to try and force Parliament into a customs union.

Mr Timothy scalded: “Barnier says, max fac would be no anomalous lacuna in the EU’s border.

“Two years ago, more than a million migrants simply walked into Europe.

“As anybody who has driven into France from Switzerland knows, there are no checks along whole sections of the EU border.

“The EU is ignoring its own negotiating guidelines. They say ‘the unique challenges of Ireland will require flexible and imaginative solutions’.

“The responsibility to find these solutions is not only British but European too.”

He concludes by saying that if there is a compromise to be made, ministers might accept max fac will take longer to be introduced than the current implementation timetable suggests.

Writing in The Telegraph, he said: “But to get its way with Brussels, and to convince Parliament that there is an alternative to a customs union, the Government needs to get on with it, choose “max fac” – and start making its case.”